The Napa Betrayal

was already there, his face a mask of anxious lov

Stella. I was

y voice smooth as silk. "It' s a be

, a man who understood terroir, the unique environment that gives a wine its character. He should have kn

wine, the door opened. Andrew' s mother, Ele

tely mournful, her hand resting o

r eyes. "I thought it would be lovely for Maria to join us

headlights. "Mom, I... I d

ily," she said, steering

tableau of deceit. I sto

oming. I walked over to the seat of honor, the one at the head of th

s seat," I insisted. "And you have to try t

non-alcoholic drink the restau

looked from me to Andrew, her e

" Maria demurred

argument. I looked directly at Andrew. "We hav

refuse without revealing eve

r stomach. Eleanor shot me a look, a mixture of suspicion and approval.

s wasn't kindness. It